Introduction

Microsoft’s newest and most sophisticated operating system, Windows 11, has a wealth of features that are intended to improve the user experience and make it more intuitive. It does, however, have certain bugs, just like any other piece of software. One such issue that many users have run with is the puzzling occurrence of empty zip files following decompression. I’m happy to say that I found a solution that has worked, and I’m here to share it with you.

The Issue: Empty Zip Files after Decompression

Consider that you recently downloaded a number of crucial files or perhaps some pictures from a trip. They’re all neatly packaged in a zip file, and since you’re running Windows 11, a cutting-edge operating system, you assume that unzipping them would be simple. The files, however, are nowhere to be found when you decompress the file system. Although the zip is extracted, the final folder seems to be empty. The irritation increases, especially if you are unsure of the underlying issue or how to resolve it.

The Solution: Launching Folder Windows in a Separate Process

After some experimenting and searching, I discovered a straightforward yet efficient fix for this problem. It is located in Windows 11’s folder options. An instruction manual for fixing the empty zip decompression problem is provided below:

Open File Explorer: Click on the File Explorer icon on your taskbar or press WIN + E simultaneously.

Access Folder Options: Click on the three-dot menu (often referred to as the ellipsis) in the top right corner. From the drop-down, select ‘Options’ or ‘Change folder and search options’.

Go to the View Tab: Once the Folder Options window opens, navigate to the ‘View’ tab.

Locate the Setting: In the Advanced settings list, find the option that says ‘Launch folder windows in a separate process’.

Enable the Option: Check the box next to this option. This means each folder will have its own separate process, making it less likely for the decompression process to glitch and not show the files.

Apply and OK: Click on the ‘Apply’ button followed by the ‘OK’ button to save the changes.

Restart Your Computer: Although it might work immediately, it’s a good idea to restart your computer to ensure all changes are effectively applied.

After following these steps, try decompressing your zip file again. You should now see the contents of the zip file in the destination folder as expected.

Conclusion

While Windows 11 has a lot to offer in terms of efficiency and creativity, occasionally occurring bugs like the empty zip file issue serve as a helpful reminder that no system is faultless. However, these hiccups can be easily fixed with a little perseverance and the appropriate information. I sincerely hope that this fix provides relief to anyone who was maybe struggling with empty decompressed zip folders. Always keep in mind that practically every problem can be fixed; you simply need to find it.